Overview Smoking accounts for half a million deaths every year and is of particular concern among people with disabilities (PWD). PWD have unmet healthcare needs and disparities in overall health, chronic health conditions, and health risk behaviors. People with disabilities are especially at risk for smoking and smoking-related illness. According to 2014 data, approximately 662,107 people with disabilities in the United States were current smokers, half of whom reported trying to quit within the past year. Ohio has one of the highest smoking rate disparities (18.5%) in the United States for people with disabilities compared to people without disabilities. These findings suggest a need for effective and targeted smoking cessation programs that are accessible and culturally appropriate for people with disabilities.

Funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL), National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Grant # 90RT5020-03